Can man with 39 wives, 127 kin make difference in Mizoram's lone seat?

Aizawl: Nearly two-thirds of the voters cast their ballots yesterday for the lone Lok Sabha seat, and in a by-poll, for an assembly segment in mountainous Mizoram.

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One man polygamist and sect leader 70-year-old Zionnghaka Chana was, however, in demand, as every local politician made a beeline to his residence prior to the voting. With 39 wives and 127 children and grandchildren, Chana is a voter who can deliver a sizeable bloc of support.

“We were witnessing a rush of politicians seeking votes in the last few days,” Chana said from his 100-room home in the hills of Baktawng village outside the state capital Aizawl. “During every election, we are much in demand, as the winning margins of politicians in this state are slim, so even 100-odd votes matter to them,” Chana (70) said.

“When we go to vote, we always cast our ballots for the same candidate or party. That means more than 160-odd votes are assured from one family,” said one of Chana’s wives, Rinkmini. The lone seat witnessed a triangular battle between sitting member C L Ruala of the Congress, Robert Romawia Royte of the United Democratic Front (UDF) and M Lalmanzuala of the Aam Aadmi Party.